Men sought in Vista pot robbery nabbed in Colorado

VISTA  Two suspects in a marijuana robbery and shooting have been arrested in Colorado, the Sheriff’s Department said Thursday.

The victim met one of the men at a San Diego marijuana dispensary on April 20 and invited him to smoke pot at his house on Buena Vista Drive the next day, said Vista sheriff’s Sgt. Art Wager.

When the victim went to his bedroom to retrieve the drugs, the man fired a shot from a handgun, but missed. A second robber then stormed into the house and demanded cash. The pair stole money, marijuana, a bong and a cell phone before fleeing in a dark sedan.

After identifying the robbers, sheriff’s investigators learned that the duo had been arrested in Grand Junction, Colo., on suspicion of transporting marijuana. A handgun believed to be used in the Vista shooting was recovered, as well other evidence from their car, Wager said.

Kansas residents Andre Free and Phillip Miller, both 25, remain jailed in Colorado. The Sheriff’s Department is recommending charges of attempted murder and robbery in the case.